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Resolved Question

transferring super 8 to best quality storage

Dec 20, 2014 12:27AM PST

I have home movies on analog super 8 and digital 8mm. I used a passthrough system and burned DVDs a long while ago, but that should all be redone know with better processes. Can you tell me the best way to get the super 8 into a quality storage format that is wit hin a reasonable budget? I use Mac OSX, and have Sony mini cam and Sony analog Super 8 camcorders. Thank you.

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audhumla1 has chosen the best answer to their question. View answer

Best Answer

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I like this if you can find it.
Dec 20, 2014 12:38AM PST

Look for the Sony DvDirect with the Blu-Ray media option. That's as easy, pain free and best quality I've seen.
Bob

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follow up
Dec 20, 2014 9:20AM PST

this appears to transfer One small snafu (besides the machine being discontinued and $600. I have a power Mac that does a lot, but I need t transfer videos that are NOT in HD, but really Old School analog and first generation mini-cam formats. I don't want to burn disks, just be able to store the work on a hard drive with the best conversion quality available. Something better than the DVDs I have already burned from them, and to finish transferring all my children's baby videos from the 90s. Roxio makes a VHS converter with RCA and S-video inputs that is around $70. Would something like that work and do they have them for super8 camcorders? the oldest original analog camera has RCA connections and the two newer digital cameras use firewire IEEE connections. I can pass the analog through the digital camcorders to convert to digital, but I was hoping a new technology would enhance the quality of this process and eliminate the need to burn DVDs since I have a few large drives to use for archives.

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So not the best?
Dec 20, 2014 11:06AM PST

Besides what you noted, gear by Honestech would be tried.
Bob

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Wanted it to be!
Dec 20, 2014 2:53PM PST

Can't find a DVDirect with Blue Ray. The basic (non blue ray) models on the resale market are 600-700. Too much for a machine I don't need to burn. The Honestech looked good but it appears to have just the same connections I am using now with the digital camcorder as a passthrough converter. So maybe I am at the best technology can offer. I know there is a loss of quality in this setup, even though the IEEE does a good job. I don't know anything about tech though. I was hoping that an added value like potential for blue ray or even better a new tech connection better than IEEE to USB 2.0. that could preserve whatever quality is left in these old vids, or even enhance it. We can dream. I guess things haven't changed much in the last 10 years since I put together my system. The prices are better though. I spent about $3000 on my digital Sony cam back then to get the best quality compatible conversion. In those days not a lot of Sony stuff was compatible with Macs. I appreciate your suggestions. A friend suggested ION, but it was like $34. I can't imagine the quality that would buy!

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The reason is simple
Dec 20, 2014 3:22PM PST

It worked a treat. Honestech, what you noted but if it's old 480p video, NTSC or PAL the major complaint is what happens when we put it up on big screens. Sorry but nothing new going on today.
Bob